Punk's Not A Fashion - Revision history

Joejulian: added Category:Articles by Michael Bugeja using HotCat

2016-09-30T06:33:06Z

added Category:Articles by Michael Bugeja using HotCat

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	[[Category:Published articles]]		[[Category:Published articles]]
			[[Category:Articles by Michael Bugeja]]

Joejulian: category change

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category change

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	[http://www.myspace.com/rageagainstsoc Rage Against Society at MySpace]		[http://www.myspace.com/rageagainstsoc Rage Against Society at MySpace]

	[[Category:~~Newspaper~~ articles]]		[[Category:Published articles]]

Tonisant at 08:49, 1 September 2010

2010-09-01T08:49:26Z

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	'''Sunday 31 January 2010 (Michael Bugeja - The Sunday Times of Malta)'''		'''Sunday 31 January 2010 (Michael Bugeja - The Sunday Times of Malta)'''

	When [[Ray Schembri "il-Baħri\|Ray il-Baħri]] first decided to form [[Rage Against Society]] ([[R.A.S.]]), the notion of releasing an album wasn’t exactly at the top of his agenda. So much so, that the band’s debut album, [[15 Years of Kaos]] (the misspelling is intended) has only materialized now, a decade-and-a-half later, and to make the long-overdue event all the more special, the band is launching it with not one, but two live gigs this weekend, and in what can be termed an innovative twist, the band’s debut features guest vocalist [[Patti Pattex]] (of Berlin punk band [[Cut My Skin]]) throughout its entirety.		When [[Ray Schembri "il-Baħri"\|Ray il-Baħri]] first decided to form [[Rage Against Society]] ([[R.A.S.]]), the notion of releasing an album wasn’t exactly at the top of his agenda. So much so, that the band’s debut album, [[15 Years of Kaos]] (the misspelling is intended) has only materialized now, a decade-and-a-half later, and to make the long-overdue event all the more special, the band is launching it with not one, but two live gigs this weekend, and in what can be termed an innovative twist, the band’s debut features guest vocalist [[Patti Pattex]] (of Berlin punk band [[Cut My Skin]]) throughout its entirety.

	The band owes its origin to the simple fact that Baħri (who had been playing with Vandals for many years) had got bored with metal. “Actually I was also a member of punk band [[Abstrass]] but I wanted something different”. He quit music for a while and went into martial arts, but while ‘roadie-ing’ for [[Lord Adder]] at Black Sabbath’s 1995 Malta concert, he got the musical itch once again, which led him to form R.A.S.		The band owes its origin to the simple fact that Baħri (who had been playing with Vandals for many years) had got bored with metal. “Actually I was also a member of punk band [[Abstrass]] but I wanted something different”. He quit music for a while and went into martial arts, but while ‘roadie-ing’ for [[Lord Adder]] at Black Sabbath’s 1995 Malta concert, he got the musical itch once again, which led him to form R.A.S.

Tonisant at 08:49, 1 September 2010

2010-09-01T08:49:05Z

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	'''Sunday 31 January 2010 (Michael Bugeja - The Sunday Times of Malta)'''		'''Sunday 31 January 2010 (Michael Bugeja - The Sunday Times of Malta)'''

	When Ray il-~~[[Bahri~~]] first decided to form [[Rage Against Society]] [[(R.A.S.)]], the notion of releasing an album wasn’t exactly at the top of his agenda. So much so, that the band’s debut album, [[15 Years of Kaos]] (the misspelling is intended) has only materialized now, a decade-and-a-half later, and to make the long-overdue event all the more special, the band is launching it with not one, but two live gigs this weekend, and in what can be termed an innovative twist, the band’s debut features guest vocalist [[Patti Pattex]] (of Berlin punk band [[Cut My Skin]]) throughout its entirety.		When [[Ray Schembri "il-Baħri\|Ray il-Baħri]] first decided to form [[Rage Against Society]] ([[R.A.S.]]), the notion of releasing an album wasn’t exactly at the top of his agenda. So much so, that the band’s debut album, [[15 Years of Kaos]] (the misspelling is intended) has only materialized now, a decade-and-a-half later, and to make the long-overdue event all the more special, the band is launching it with not one, but two live gigs this weekend, and in what can be termed an innovative twist, the band’s debut features guest vocalist [[Patti Pattex]] (of Berlin punk band [[Cut My Skin]]) throughout its entirety.

	The band owes its origin to the simple fact that ~~Bahri~~ (who had been playing with Vandals for many years) had got bored with metal. “Actually I was also a member of punk band [[Abstrass]] but I wanted something different”. He quit music for a while and went into martial arts, but while ‘roadie-ing’ for [[Lord Adder]] at Black Sabbath’s 1995 Malta concert, he got the musical itch once again, which led him to form R.A.S.		The band owes its origin to the simple fact that Baħri (who had been playing with Vandals for many years) had got bored with metal. “Actually I was also a member of punk band [[Abstrass]] but I wanted something different”. He quit music for a while and went into martial arts, but while ‘roadie-ing’ for [[Lord Adder]] at Black Sabbath’s 1995 Malta concert, he got the musical itch once again, which led him to form R.A.S.

	Back then, their live set would feature mostly covers of either hard rock or punk covers, which is quite different from the sharper hardcore punk direction the band has since pursued. They also became one of the first underground bands to sing in Maltese (as well as in English), among them the classic original [[B.S.B.]], [[Malta Mhux ~~Ghall~~-~~Bejgh~~]] and selected covers that Bahri would translate into colourful Maltese versions. “We found out that when we sang in Maltese, the people connected more with our music, possibly also because of the wit and irony of the lyrics”.		Back then, their live set would feature mostly covers of either hard rock or punk covers, which is quite different from the sharper hardcore punk direction the band has since pursued. They also became one of the first underground bands to sing in Maltese (as well as in English), among them the classic original [[B.S.B.]], [[Malta Mhux Għall-Bejgħ]] and selected covers that Bahri would translate into colourful Maltese versions. “We found out that when we sang in Maltese, the people connected more with our music, possibly also because of the wit and irony of the lyrics”.

	Why then has it taken all of 15 years to release their debut album? As a separate discussion about earlier band recordings ensues in the background, ~~Bahri~~ tries to give me a straight answer. “Firstly, it was expensive to record back then, and we didn’t feel we were good enough to record our music yet”. Straight, and honest too. “We then took a break as R.A.S.’s punk ethic was getting diluted with a little too much ‘metal’. During this time we took a break from the band and formed [[Spirit of ’77]] as well as recording the Subculture (another of Bahri’s bands) album”. Since then, the band has ditched all of its metal tendencies and focused strictly on hardcore punk or, to use drummer [[Steve Lombardo]]’s exact words, ‘as fast as you can go’. [[Dennis Celik]] adds that he has been working hard to instill a stronger melodic vein into the songs. “It wasn’t easy, but I believe that all songs need a good melody as well as power, to drive them”.		Why then has it taken all of 15 years to release their debut album? As a separate discussion about earlier band recordings ensues in the background, Baħri tries to give me a straight answer. “Firstly, it was expensive to record back then, and we didn’t feel we were good enough to record our music yet”. Straight, and honest too. “We then took a break as R.A.S.’s punk ethic was getting diluted with a little too much ‘metal’. During this time we took a break from the band and formed [[Spirit of ’77]] as well as recording the Subculture (another of Bahri’s bands) album”. Since then, the band has ditched all of its metal tendencies and focused strictly on hardcore punk or, to use drummer [[Steve Lombardo]]’s exact words, ‘as fast as you can go’. [[Dennis Celik]] adds that he has been working hard to instill a stronger melodic vein into the songs. “It wasn’t easy, but I believe that all songs need a good melody as well as power, to drive them”.

	Until now, German vocalist Patti Pattex has been sitting quietly, so I bring her into the fray simply by asking how she became involved in this project. “I first met Bahri in 2007 at a [[Subculture]] gig in Valletta. We shared many common interests and after exchanging CDs, we stayed in contact. Then, just before my last birthday, Bahri asked what I would like as a present, and I casually suggested we should write a song together or something”. Bahri took on the idea, and after a 12-hour stint locked up in the band’s rehearsal room, he emerged with a whole album.		Until now, German vocalist Patti Pattex has been sitting quietly, so I bring her into the fray simply by asking how she became involved in this project. “I first met Bahri in 2007 at a [[Subculture]] gig in Valletta. We shared many common interests and after exchanging CDs, we stayed in contact. Then, just before my last birthday, Bahri asked what I would like as a present, and I casually suggested we should write a song together or something”. Bahri took on the idea, and after a 12-hour stint locked up in the band’s rehearsal room, he emerged with a whole album.

Lib66: Created page with ''''Sunday 31 January 2010 (Michael Bugeja - The Sunday Times of Malta)''' When Ray il-Bahri first decided to form Rage Against Society (R.A.S.), the notion of releas…'

2010-08-31T16:42:28Z

Created page with ''''Sunday 31 January 2010 (Michael Bugeja - The Sunday Times of Malta)''' When Ray il-Bahri first decided to form Rage Against Society (R.A.S.), the notion of releas…'

New page

'''Sunday 31 January 2010 (Michael Bugeja - The Sunday Times of Malta)'''

When Ray il-[[Bahri]] first decided to form [[Rage Against Society]] [[(R.A.S.)]], the notion of releasing an album wasn’t exactly at the top of his agenda. So much so, that the band’s debut album, [[15 Years of Kaos]] (the misspelling is intended) has only materialized now, a decade-and-a-half later, and to make the long-overdue event all the more special, the band is launching it with not one, but two live gigs this weekend, and in what can be termed an innovative twist, the band’s debut features guest vocalist [[Patti Pattex]] (of Berlin punk band [[Cut My Skin]]) throughout its entirety.

The band owes its origin to the simple fact that Bahri (who had been playing with Vandals for many years) had got bored with metal. “Actually I was also a member of punk band [[Abstrass]] but I wanted something different”. He quit music for a while and went into martial arts, but while ‘roadie-ing’ for [[Lord Adder]] at Black Sabbath’s 1995 Malta concert, he got the musical itch once again, which led him to form R.A.S.

Back then, their live set would feature mostly covers of either hard rock or punk covers, which is quite different from the sharper hardcore punk direction the band has since pursued. They also became one of the first underground bands to sing in Maltese (as well as in English), among them the classic original [[B.S.B.]], [[Malta Mhux Ghall-Bejgh]] and selected covers that Bahri would translate into colourful Maltese versions. “We found out that when we sang in Maltese, the people connected more with our music, possibly also because of the wit and irony of the lyrics”.

Why then has it taken all of 15 years to release their debut album? As a separate discussion about earlier band recordings ensues in the background, Bahri tries to give me a straight answer. “Firstly, it was expensive to record back then, and we didn’t feel we were good enough to record our music yet”. Straight, and honest too. “We then took a break as R.A.S.’s punk ethic was getting diluted with a little too much ‘metal’. During this time we took a break from the band and formed [[Spirit of ’77]] as well as recording the Subculture (another of Bahri’s bands) album”. Since then, the band has ditched all of its metal tendencies and focused strictly on hardcore punk or, to use drummer [[Steve Lombardo]]’s exact words, ‘as fast as you can go’. [[Dennis Celik]] adds that he has been working hard to instill a stronger melodic vein into the songs. “It wasn’t easy, but I believe that all songs need a good melody as well as power, to drive them”.

Until now, German vocalist Patti Pattex has been sitting quietly, so I bring her into the fray simply by asking how she became involved in this project. “I first met Bahri in 2007 at a [[Subculture]] gig in Valletta. We shared many common interests and after exchanging CDs, we stayed in contact. Then, just before my last birthday, Bahri asked what I would like as a present, and I casually suggested we should write a song together or something”. Bahri took on the idea, and after a 12-hour stint locked up in the band’s rehearsal room, he emerged with a whole album.

After consulting with fellow members (bassist) Dennis Celik and Lombardo, he then asked Patti if she would be interested in singing on the record. “I liked what he was doing, the topics and politics that the songs were about were in line with what I do with my band, so obviously I said yes. This was a first for me in that I’m singing other people’s lyrics and not my own”. “And on the next one” Celik interjects, “she will sing in Maltese”. They all laugh, but Patti says she will do it, ‘a little bit in Maltese at least”, she adds.

The album’s lyrics are an important part of R.A.S.’s identity and I’m particularly interested in the song Punk’s not a fashion. Its relevance is perhaps more important now that the fashion world has hijacked the punk look and turned it into something glamorous. Patti is quite vocal about this. “I’ve been a punk since 1982, living on the street and ever since, bits and pieces of the punk culture have been ‘stolen’ and turned into cosmetic accessories. For me it doesn’t make sense to change styles just to be ‘anti’ something, I would have no personality. So I have my look and it stays this way no matter what fashion is in or out. My look is part of who I am”.

This is essentially what R.A.S. is about, they share some views and disagree on others, but they’re not imposing them on anyone either, just as they don’t others to impose on them. The most well-known punk-related slogan may be Punk’s Not Dead, but if more attention is paid to what punk music is about instead of being shocked by the look, one may just discover that the more familiar ‘live and let live’ is a strong factor of the punk lifestyle; and there’s nothing wrong with that now, is there?

15 Years of Kaos will be launched over two nights; February 5 at [[Remedy]] (Euro 5 entrance) in Paceville, with [[Thrashacre]] supporting, and on February 6 at [[Rookies]] (Free entrance) with a [[Kaos Party]] also featuring live performances from [[Rejects]] and [[Rigress]].

[http://www.myspace.com/rageagainstsoc Rage Against Society at MySpace]

[[Category:Newspaper articles]]